The amount of information from colleges and universities trying to entice high school juniors and seniors (and their families) can be overwhelming. Unfortunately, there isn’t as much guidance available for families who are going through the process for the first time.
Matching a young person with a school that feel like a great fit is an important part of helping them feel comfortable in their first home away from home and can prevent unexpected (and disruptive) transfers later. How do parents and students tackle the college application and selection process?
Variables to Consider
Every college or university is unique. Here are some of the most important characteristics to discuss with your teen.
Campus Location – Consider the distance from home and surrounding area. If you don’t have a car, how easy is it to get to class?
Campus Size – How important are small or large class sizes to you? Do you want your professors to know you personally, or are you more comfortable blending into a larger group?
Student Organizations – Does the school have clubs and organizations that align with your interests? How involved do you want to be?
Food – Do you need a campus meal plan? Have you looked at reviews about the food? Are there good on- and off-campus options?
Financial Aid – Does the school provide adequate financial assistance to students? What will the total cost of attendance be?
The truth is that students should consider as many factors as possible when selecting a college. Choosing to spend four years somewhere is a huge commitment and it can be the little things that make or break your experience, such as scheduling classes or the daily walk to class.
Will the School Meet Your Teen’s Needs?
Once a student has decided which campus characteristics are important, how do you know if the school can meet those needs?
School website – Check out majors, student groups and grade requirements.
Online reviews – Learn more from the perspective of students at the school.
High school counselors – Seek advice and insight based on previous students’ experiences.
Make an official visit – Experience firsthand what the school has to offer.
When researching schools, be sure to use more than one resource. It’s important for students to explore the school independently, gather opinions from people with college experience, and speak with counselors, whether they work for a high school or the prospective college or university. Every school has positives and negatives, and it’s best for students to understand both before making a decision.
Making the Final Decision
After ranking important factors and researching multiple schools, most students narrow their choices down to two or three colleges. It’s important that the student envisions their future at the school. As they grow and change, their wants and needs may also evolve, and the school should be able to accommodate those changes. Many students don’t know their final career path when they enter college, so make sure the school offers a well-rounded educational experience.
The final decision often comes down to whether the student is accepted, the amount of financial aid given, and the experience on the tour. Take care to be thorough during this process: this decision can shape a student’s future. College is a great place to grow as an individual while creating friendships and skills that last a lifetime!
For more local resources for your teen, check out CAP4Kids, a website full of free and low-cost resources and events!
Hayley is a Project Coordinator for the Economic Opportunity Program at Nationwide Children's Hospital.
All Topics
Browse by Author
About this Blog
Pediatric News You Can Use From America’s Largest Pediatric Hospital and Research Center
700 Children’s® features the most current pediatric health care information and research from our pediatric experts – physicians and specialists who have seen it all. Many of them are parents and bring a special understanding to what our patients and families experience. If you have a child – or care for a child – 700 Children’s was created especially for you.
